Statement and Argument

STATEMENT AND ARGUMENT Directions: In making decisions about important questions, it is desirable to be able to distinguish between ‘strong’ arguments and ‘weak’ arguments. ‘Strong’ arguments are those which are both important and directly related to the question. ‘Weak’ arguments are those which are of minor importance and also may not be directly related to the question or may be related to a trivial aspect of the question. Each question below is followed by two arguments numbered I and II. You have to decide which of the argument is a ‘strong’ argument and which is a ‘weak’ argument. Give answer: (1) if only argument I is strong. (2) if only argument II is strong. (3) if either I or II is strong. (4) if neither 1 nor II is strong. (5) if both I and II are strong. 1. Statement: Should sex determination test during pregnancy be completely banned ? Arguments: I. Yes, this leads to indiscriminate female foeticide and eventually will lead to social imbalance. II. No, people have a right to know about their unborn child. 2. Statement: Should the parents in India in future be forced to opt for only one child as against two or many at present? Arguments: I. Yes, this is the only way to check the everincreasing population of India. II. No, this type of pressure tactic is not adopted by any other country in the world. 3. Statement: Should there be complete ban on mining coal in India? Arguments: I. Yes, the present stock of coal will not last long if we continue mining at the present rate. II. No, we do not have alternate energy source of sufficient quantity. 4. Statement: Should all the slums in big cities be demolished and the people living in such slums be relocated outside the city limits? Arguments: I. No, all these people will lose their home and livelihood and hence they should not be relocated. II. Yes, the big cities need more and more spaces to carry out developmental activities and hence these slums should be removed. Statement: Should there be uniforms for students in colleges in India as in schools? Arguments: I. Yes, this will improve the ambience of the colleges as all the students will be decently dressed. II. No, college students should not be regimented and they should be left to choose their clothes for coming to college. 6. Statement: Should the Government ignore the agitations mounted by certain NGOs and allow production of genetically modified cottons in India? Arguments: I. Yes, this will substantially raise the production level and also improve the quality of the cotton produce benefiting the farmers. II. No, such NGOs are technically equipped and therefore should not be ignored. 7. Statement: Should the capital punishment be abolished altogether in India? Arguments: I. Yes, countries belonging to European Union have abolished capital punishment. II. No, this is one way to instill fear in the mind of the criminals which will restrain them from committing heinous crimes. 8. Statement: Should the persons below the age of 18 years be allowed to join armed forces? Arguments: I. No, persons below the age of 18 do not attain both physical and mental maturity to shoulder such burden. II. Yes, this will help the country develop its armed forces which will serve the country for a longer time. 9. Statement: Should all the surrogate advertisements released by companies manufacturing tobacco products be banned? Arguments: I. Yes, this is the only way to prevent use of tobacco products by people. II. No, these companies have spent a lot of money for preparing the advertisements and hence should not be banned. 10. Statement: Should the reservation of jobs for weaker sections of the society be extended to the private sectors also? Arguments: I. No, the management of the private sector undertakings would not agree to such compulsions. II. Yes, this will significantly improve the economic conditions of the weaker sections 5. 11. Statement: Should liquor companies be held liable for alcohol related accidents caused by underage youth? Arguments: I. Yes, they do not advertise about the consequences of consuming alcohol. II. No, fake identity cards and licenses are easily available to the youth allowing them to obtain alcohol. 12. Statement: Should there be legislation to ensure that children provide maintenance to their aging parents. Arguments: I. Yes, the magnitude of the problem of abuse and neglect of aged parents by their immediate family is growing. II. No, the cost of implementing this legislation will be too much. 13. Statement: Should the funding for national space research programmes be diverted to addressing the needs of the poor? Arguments: I. Yes, the budget for space research is lower than that of other countries so it cannot compete with them and can be put to better use in schemes to benefit the poor. II. No, communication satellites help provide services like telemedicine so that people in rural areas can get access to the best professional advice, 14. Statement: Should the Government force private broadcasters to share coverage of international cricket matches involving the national team with the Government owned national network? Arguments: I. Yes, people without access to satellite television can get to see their national team playing in major international tournaments. II. No, private broadcasters will take legal action against the Government. 15. Statement: Should loss making Government airlines be merged into a single entity? Arguments: I. Yes, the merger will pool their resources allowing them to expand their services and be more competitive with private and foreign airlines. II. No, the merger will result in loss of jobs. 16. Statement: Should the admission to professional courses in India be given only on merit without any concession to any particular group of students? Arguments: I. Yes, this will improve the quality of the professionals as they will be able to complete the courses successfully. II. No, this will keep large number of socially and economically backward students out of the reach of the professional courses. 17. Statement: Should the state governments be allowed to retain major shares of the central taxes collected in the respective states? Arguments: I. No, the central government should receive the major share as most of the developmental programmes are funded by the central government. II. Yes, most of the state governments are short of funds and they badly need more funds. 18. Statement: Should all the private sector banks be immediately merged with the public sector banks ? Arguments: I. No, the private sector banks are profit making entities and hence they should not be merged. II. Yes, this will safeguard the hard earned money of the customers and their interests will be secured. 19. Statement: Should the incharge of all the police stations in the country be transferred every two years? Arguments: I. No, this will create lot of administrative hassles and also will create lot of inconvenience to the police officers. II. Yes, this is the only way to eradicate the nexus between police officers and anti social elements. 20. Statement: Should the oil companies be allowed to fix the price of petroleum products depending on market conditions? Arguments: I. Yes, this is the only way to make the oil companies commercially viable. II. No, this will put additional burden on the retail prices of essential commodities and will cause lot of hardships to the masses. 21. Statement: Should there be only one medium of instruction in all the colleges in India? Arguments: I. Yes, in many countries there is only one medium of instruction in all the colleges. II. No, this is not practicable in a multilingual country like India. 22. Statement: Should there be reservation in Government jobs for candidates from single child family? Arguments: I. No, this is not advisable as the jobs should be offered to only deserving candidates without any reservation for a particular group. II. Yes, this will help reducing the growing population in India as the parents Will be encouraged to adopt single child norm. 23. Statement: Should there be complete ban on 30. Statement: Should there be only two political parties in India? opening new engineering colleges in India? Arguments: Arguments: I. Yes, every year lakhs of engineers and graduI. Yes, in many developed countries there ates from various colleges cannot find jobs as are only two political parties. the demand is much less than the supply. II. No, Indian electorate is not matured to II. No, India needs more technically qualified select between only two political parties. people to meet the ever-increasing demand of Directions: In making decisions about imtechnocrats in the international arena. portant questions, it is desirable to be able to dis24. Statement: Should all the Government appoin- tinguish between 'strong' arguments and 'weak tees as heads of different organizations other than arguments. 'Strong' arguments are those which administrative cadre personnel resign at the time are both important and directly related to the quesof change of Government? tion. 'Weak' arguments are those which are of Arguments: minor importance and also may not be directly I. Yes, this practice is being followed in USA and related to the questions or may be related to a has been found to be effective. trivial aspect of the question. II. No, such appointments should be kept out of Each question below is followed by three arpolitical influences and each of them should guments numbered I, II and III. You have to debe allowed to complete their full term. cide which of the arguments is a 'strong' argu25. Statement: Should all those who are suffering ment and which is a 'weak' argument. from terminal diseases be allowed to end their 31. Statement: Should there be a complete ban lives if they so desire? on celebration of various ‘days’ in colleges? Arguments: Arguments: I. No, nobody should be allowed to end their life I. No, there is nothing wrong in celebrating at their will as this goes against the basic tethe days and enjoying once in a while. nets of humanity. II. Yes, children are giving more importance II. Yes, instead of suffering with pain and no to such celebrations than the studies. chance of recovery they should be allowed to III.No, this type of celebration gives opportudo so. nity for children to express their feelings. 26. Statement: Should the sale of tobacco products (1) Only I and II are strong be restricted to only few outlets in each city/town? (2) Only II and III are strong Arguments: (3) Only III is strong I. Yes, this will substantially reduce consump(4) Only II is strong tion of tobacco products. (5) None of these II. No, those who want to purchase tobacco prod32. Statement: Should the Examination Boards ucts should get them at convenient locations. give separate time for reading the question 27. Statement: Should the sale of all the toys made paper over and above the stipulated time for in China be banned in India? answering the paper? Arguments: Arguments: I. Yes, these are very cheap and hence will put I. No, it is not necessary to give separate time the local toy manufacturers out of business. since reading the question paper takes II. No, Indian toys are of much better quality and hardly any time. their sale will not be affected. II. No, reading the question is a part of prepa28. Statement: Should there be only a uniform rate ration for writing the answer and thereof income tax irrespective of the level of income? fore no separate time is required to be given. Arguments: III.Yes, separate time is necessary since a I. Yes, this will substantially reduce the work of lot of time goes in reading the question the officials of the income tax department. paper and many students find it very diffiII. No, this will reduce-Govt. tax collection to a cult to complete the answer paper in spite large extent. of having the knowledge. 29. Statement: Should there not be the 9th Class exam in all Indian schools? (1) Only I is strong Arguments: (2) Only II is strong I. No, Students should appear take the exam (3) Only III is strong during the early age. (4) Only II and III are strong II. Yes, students should time to analyse and think (5) None of these freely. 33. Statement: Should the Government impose 36. Statement: Should the govt. deregulate the restrictions on access to sensitive informaretail prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas tion to the journalists to avoid the media and allow the prices to be driven by market hype? conditions? Arguments: Arguments: I. Yes, the media creates hype and publishes I. Yes, this will largely help the oil compadistorted information at times. nies to sell their products at competitive ' II. No, journalists should have an access to price. all the information as media is the best II. No, the general public cannot afford marsource to expose the malfunctions in the ket driven prices of these products. society. III. Yes, at times it leads to harassment of III. Yes, govt. needs to stop subsidizing these those who are affected and alleged to be products and channelise the money for deinvolved in the crisis. velopmental projects. (1) All I, II and III are strong (1) Only I and II are strong (2) Only I and II are strong (2) Only I and III are strong (3) Only II and III are strong (3) Only II and III are strong (4) Only II is strong (5) None is strong (4) All I, II and III are strong 34. Statement: Should the Government intro(5) None of these duce a system of obtaining bond from students 37. Statement: Should the govt. take over all the for working in India before sanctioning eduprivate passenger transport companies cation loan for higher studies? across the country? Arguments: Arguments: I. No, this is not a workable solution and will I. Yes, this should be done as the govt. runs obstruct the development of young talent the railways. in the country. II. No, govt. does not have expertise to handle II. Yes, this is the only way to ensure use of such operations. the talent of our country for the developIII. Yes, this way general public can be taken ment of the country and not only an indiout of the clutches of the private transport vidual. companies. III.No, this step will be too harsh. (1) Only I is strong (1) Only I is strong (2) Only I and II are strong (2) Only II is strong (3) Only II and III are strong (3) Only I and II are strong (4) All I, II and III are strong (4) None is strong (5) None of these (5) None of these 35. Statement: Should the minimum age of mar- 38. Statement: Should the institutes of higher learnings in India like IITs and IIMs be made riage for boys be brought down to 18 years? totally free from govt. control? Arguments: Arguments: I. No, an 18-year-old boy is not capable of takI. Yes, such institutes in the developed couning responsibility to start a family. tries are run by non-govt. agencies. II. Yes, since the minimum age for marriage II. No, govt. needs to regulate functions of for girls is 18 years, the same should be these institutes for national interest applicable for boys as well. III.No, these institutes are not capable to take III. No, the boys should be allowed to marry policy decisions for smooth functioning. only after they become self-dependent. (1) Only I is strong (1) Only I is strong (2) Only II is strong (2) Only II is strong (3) Only III is strong (3) Only III is strong (4) Only either I or II is strong (4) Only I and III are strong (5) None of these (5) None of these 39. Statement: Should the parliament elections 42. Statement: Should sale of vital human organs be made legal in India? in India be held on a single day throughout the country? Arguments: Arguments: I. No, it goes against our culture. I. Yes, this is the only way to handle such II. No, this will lead to unhealthy practices. elections. III. Yes, this will bring an end to the illegal II. Yes, this will help the commission to contrading of human organs. centrate on a single day for election related issues. (1) None is strong III. No, some other countries hold such elec(2) Only I and II are strong tions spread over several days. (3) Only III is strong (1) None is strong (4) Only II and III are strong (2) Only I is strong (5) All are strong (3) Only II is strong 43. Statement: Should the conscription of citi(4) Only III is strong zen for defence services be made compulsory (5) Only I and II are strong in India? 40. Statement: Should there be a common pay structure of the central govt. and all state govt. Arguments: employees in the country? I. Yes, this is the only way to tackle the seriArguments: ous shortage of manpower in defence serI. No, each state govt. should have the freevices. dom to decide the pay structure of its emII. No, instead the compensation package be ployees. made comparable to other job sectors to II. No, the workload and responsibilities of attract people to join defence services. central govt. and state govt. employees difIII. Yes, many other countries have made this fer and hence there should be different pay compulsory. structure. (1) Only I is strong III. Yes, all are govt. employees and hence they should be treated equally irrespective of (2) Only II is strong their working with central govt. or any (3) Only I and II are strong state govt. (4) Only either I or II is strong (1) Only I is strong (5) None of these (2) Only I and III are strong (3) Only III is strong 44. Statement: Should the salary and perquisites of public sector undertaking employees be (4) Only II and III are strong made equivalent to those in the private sec(5) None of these tor? 41. Statement: Should smoking cigarettes and Arguments: drinking alcohol by the actors be completely banned in the movies in India? I. Yes, this will help the public sector underArguments: takings to attract and retain competent workforce. I. Yes, this will significantly reduce the trends of smoking cigarettes and drinking II. No, public sector undertakings cannot afalcohol among youth in India. ford to pay salaries to the level of private sector. II. No, there should be no such ban in the creative pursuits of the filmmaker. III. Yes, otherwise the public sector underIII. No, the films portrait the society and hence taking will not be able to compete with the such scenes should be an integral part of private sector organization. the movie if the story line demands. (1) None is strong (1) None is strong (2) Only III is strong (2) Only I and II are strong (3) Only I is strong (3) Only II and III are strong (4) Only II is strong (4) Only I and III are strong (5) Only I and III are strong (5) All are strong 45. Statement: Should there be a complete ban 48. Statement: Should the rate of income tax be on registration of new cars for few months in much higher for those who earn more one the big cities in India? crore each year? Arguments: Arguments: I. No, every tax paying citizen should be I. Yes, this will significantly reduce the numtreated on par irrespective of their annual ber of cars on the already overcrowded roads income. of the big cities in India. II. No, a small percentage of tax paying indiII. Yes, the existing car owners will be very viduals earns more than one crore and happy as they will face less traffic snarls hence it will not have any significant imin peak hour. pact on Govt. earnings. III. No, this is highly discriminatory against III. Yes, imposing higher rate is justified for those who decide to buy cars now and high earners as they can afford to pay more hence should not be enforced. tax to the Govt. after taking care of their (1) Only I is strong own requirements. (2) Only I and III are strong (1) Only I and II are strong (3) Only III is strong (2) Only III is strong (4) All are strong (3) Only II is strong (5) None of these (4) All I, II and III are strong 46. Statement: Should there be a complete ban (5) None of these on constructing housing projects on farm 49. Statement: Should the retirement age of lands? teachers of all Govt. schools be increased to Arguments: 65 years? I. No, the demands for housing is ever inArguments: creasing and hence construction of such I. Yes, there is an acute shortage of quality projects on farm lands should be allowed teachers. on selective basis. II. No, young educated youth will be deprived II. Yes, farm lands are to be protected against of their job opportunity. any such encroachments as demand for III. Yes, Govt. can defer payment towards refood is increasing every year. tirement of these teachers. III. Yes, the poor farmers are exploited by the (1) Only I is strong big builders. (2) Only II is strong (1) Only I and II are strong (3) Only III is strong (2) Only either I or II is strong (4) Only I and II are strong (3) Only III is strong (5) None is strong (4) Only I and III are strong 50. Statement: Should there be a uniform eligi(5) None of these bility criteria for admission to all the engi47. Statement: Should at least one member from neering colleges in the country? each household in India be provided with a Arguments: Govt. job. I. No, each college should be given freedom Arguments: to decide the eligibility criteria for admisI. Yes, this is the only way to eradicate povsions. erty in India. II. Yes, this will largely ensure comparability II. Yes, this will significantly improve the ecoamong engineers passing out of different nomic condition of the less privileged class. colleges. III. No, the income of many households are III. Yes, many colleges admit large number of otherwise quite high and these households students who are not capable of completshould be kept out of such scheme. ing their engineering degree. (1) Only I is strong (1) All are strong (2) Only II is strong (2) Only I and II are strong (3) Only III is strong (3) Only I and III are strong (4) Only II and III are strong (4) Only II and III are strong (5) None of these (5) None of these STATEMENT AND ARGUMENT 1. 1; 2. 4; It is important to ensure gender equality. Hence, I is strong. II is weak because it focusses on trivial aspect. I is not true. Hence, I is not strong. II is not the right way of arguing because the need of India can be different from the need of other countries in the world. of petroleum products affects the price structure of most of the essential commodities. The use of term "only" in the argument I makes it invalid. 21. 2 22. 4 23. 2 24. 2 25. 1 26.1; Studies throughout the year needs to be check at last end of the session. Examination are well es- 3. 2; I deviates from the core issue. Hence, I is weak. II shows the compulsion clearly. Hence, II is strong. tablished and generally accepted way to check so I 4. 5; I is strong because of humanity ground. II is strong because of the ground of development. pursuits could be carried on along with studies 5. 5; I is strong because of educational ground, II is strong because of the ground of liberty (of a student after a certain age). argument. 6. 4; Neither of the arguments is strong. It is possible that NGOs have started agitations for some genuine cause and therefore, it must be investigated properly. 7. 2; Only second argument is strong. We know that citing example is a bad argumentation. 8. 1; Argument I seems to be strong. 9. 4; Neither of the arguments is strong The use of term 'only' in the first argument makes is invalid. 10. 2; Only argument II seems to be strong. 11. 2; Fake identity cards and licenses are easily available to youth allowing them to obtain alcohol so liquers companies should be held liable from related accidents so second arguments strong and first is weak. 12. 1; Problem of abuse and neglect of aged parents by their immediate family is growing so there should be legislation for providing maintenance to aged persons so first argument is strong and second is weak. 13. 2; The funding for national space research programmes can not be diverted because it can be helpful to provide services like telemedicine and other useful informations. 14. 1; Government should force private broad caster to space coverage of international cricket matches team with national network which will be helpful for the people without access to satellite television and provide them full intertainment. 15. 1; Merger of loss making government airlines into a single entity will expand the services and be more competitive with private and foreign airlines. So first argument is strong. 16. 2; Our country seeks to support educationally and economically backward classes for their overall growth and development. Therefore, argument I is not strong. 17. 4; In order to decide whether the argument is strong or not first decide the desirability of the statement. Therefore, neither of the arguments is strong. 18. 4; The reason mentioned in the argument I is not convincing. Therefore, argument I is not strong. Argument II does not answer the question how public sector banks will safeguard the money of the customers. Thus, argument II is also not strong. 19. 4; Neither of the arguments is strong. The use of term 'only' in the argument II makes it invalid. 20. 2; Only argument II seems to be strong. Hike in prices is a strong argument. Thinking partly and creative exams are no ways hindrance to fit so II is a weak 27. 1; I. Talks about the effects of sale of tobacco products is restricted. The effect is valid, practical and desirable for the society as well so T is strong tobacco consumption is not advisable because it is harmful to he so the achieve to make tobacco purchase convenient is a weak argument. 28. 4; Chinese toys may be cheap but they are so cheap that can put locate toy manufactures out of business this is not necessarily true so is not a strong argument same way Indian toys may be of much better quality but still the cheaper product may effect their sale. So II is also a weak argument. 29. 4; Though uniform rate of tax will certain by reduce the work of officials but this way the purpose of imposing income tax of equal distribution of money will fail which of prime adjective so I, is weak, similarly argument II also talks about a thing which is not so important and deviates from prime objective. 30. 4; Argument I is based analogy, the condition in two countries may differ so 'I' is weak. We have no definite information to decide weather the Indian electorate is so matured or not so we can't put a question make an maturity so II is also weak. 31. 2; I supports with trivial substance. Hence, I is not strong. II is strong because deviation of students’ mind from their studies is not desirable. On the other hand, an opportunity to express their feelings may help students develop their personality as such an exposure will increase their confidence level. 32. 4; I is not strong as it is not true. II is true. Hence, II is strong. III is also true. After all, the purpose of an exam is to scrutinise the ability (ie, knowledge) of a student. Hence, III is strong. 33. 1; I is strong. It may confuse people by distorting information. II is desirable. Hence, II is true. III is also strong because it may have a negative impact on the person or the people involved which is not desirable. 34. 1; I is true. Hence, I is strong. II is not strong because of the word ‘only’. III has no substance. Hence, III is not strong. 35. 1; I is a fact. Hence, I is strong. II is absurd. Hence, II is not strong. III also is not strong as it deviates from the core issue. 36. 1 37. 2 38. 1 39. 2 40. 4 41. 5; I is true and desirable. Hence, I is strong. II and III are also true. The move will affect badly to the creativity of the film. 42. 4; II is true. Unhealthy practices are not desirable. Hence, II is strong. I adds no important substances. Hence, I is not strong. III is true up to a great extent. Hence III is also strong. 43. 5; Reject I because of the word ‘only’. Reject III because the condition of other countries may be different from the condition of our country. II does not mention reason. Hence, II is not strong. 44. 3; III is not necessarily true. Hence, III is not strong. I is true. Competent workforce is the backbone of a company. Hence, I is strong. II adds trivial reason. Hence, II is not strong. 45. 3; I is true but the substance mentioned is not enough to justify the move. Hence, I is not strong. II is ridiculous and hence not strong. III is true. Such discrimination is not desirable. Hence, III is strong. 46. 1; Argument I is strong as we know the rapid growth of population hence the increasing demand for housing so we can not ban on housing on such lands. Argument II is strong because as population growth demand for our basic needs as house and bread also grows so making houses on farm lands will effect our productivity of foodgrains adversely argument III is weak because it is not valid reason and does not always happens. 47. 4; Argument I is weak because this is not the only way to eradicate poverty from India. Argument II is strong because providing govt job to atleast one member of less privileged class will make them able to think about other options to improve their economic condition. Argument III is strong because providing govt. job is way to improve economic condition for only less privileged class and others having quite high income have already other options. 48. 2; Argument I is weak because we can not treat everyone in such a manner that they are effected with that as in case of income tax. Argument II is weak because first no. of 'Such individuals is not small so obviously it'll have significant impact on govt. earnings. Argument III is strong because taxes paid by public used in different useful works people who can afford to pay more tax because they have, more earnings is justified. Structure of tax is according to earnings. 49. 4; Argument I is strong because there is lack of quality teachers in number of schools and we can not compromise with the quality of education. Argument II is strong because after increasing the years for teachers the young educated youth who have choses teaching as their carrier will have to wait and watch other options. Argument III is weak because hot logical. 50. 5; Argument I is strong because it is not possible that every student fulfill the eligibility criterion if it will be uniform so each college should be given freedom so that students can take admission according to the his eligibility argument II is weak because passing put of different colleges are compared on the basis of colleges. Argument III is not talking about eligibility criteria.